News: 2021 Harwood Legacy Award

Kirk Cameron Headlines CCU Donor Event

University Partners Provide Prayer, Provision, and Promotion for the University

Colorado Christian University honored Don and Joyce Sieke with the Harwood Legacy Award for faithful stewardship and generous legacy giving to CCU during the annual University Partners dinner on April 29. The dinner brought together more than 200 committed donors, alumni, and friends of the University and featured Christian actor and filmmaker Kirk Cameron.

CCU President Dr. Donald W. Sweeting and Vice President of University Advancement Eric Hogue presented the Siekes with the award during the event. Don and Joyce Sieke are the second recipients of the Harwood Legacy Award. The inaugural award was given to members of the Harwood family in 2019.

"In the history of every great university is the story of visionary donors and leaders who imagined great things for the institution. In CCU's history, there are many people who played magnificent roles in our growth and trajectory," Hogue said. "Each year, the Harwood Legacy Award honors those who exhibit significant charitable giving and engagement in the life of the University, and who have encouraged others to contribute by example."

As the keynote speaker, Cameron engaged University Partners with his personal testimony of coming to faith in Jesus Christ as a young Hollywood actor. The "Growing Pains" star highlighted the National Monument to the Forefathers located in Massachusetts and commented on the importance of staying true to founding principles. Cameron's presentation dovetailed with Sweeting's opening remarks referencing ad fontes — Latin meaning back to the sources — a constant historical reminder that Christ-centered higher education must be tethered to the original sources of faith and Christian educational purposes.

University Partners, a group formerly known as the President's Circle, is a core support network of donors to Colorado Christian University. This group values Christ-centered higher education and recognizes the unique ministry that Colorado Christian University provides as the only accredited, interdenominational, Christian university in the Rocky Mountain region. The three requirements of membership are prayer, promotion, and provision, each of which upholds CCU's mission of inciting both faith and educational excellence in students and faculty.

"CCU's generous annual contributors deserve the title of 'partner' due to their constant stewardship and strategic alliance with the University's distinct and unapologetic Christian mission embedded in an ever-changing cultural landscape," said Hogue. "These donors are committed to CCU's mission to provide compelling Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth."

University Partners receive exclusive communications from the University and its leadership, video greetings and messages from President Sweeting, and numerous opportunities to attend special events, lectures, receptions, and performances.

Learn more about University Partners at Colorado Christian University